Articles
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Budget & Tax
McGirt decision creating millions in new expenses for state
While the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma may have stripped the state of the power to prosecute countless crimes involving a mix of Indians and non-Indians in eastern Oklahoma, it has not reduced state law-enforcement expenses, officials told lawmakers at a recent budget hearing.Ray Carter | January 17, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Education
Public schools carry over more than $1 billion
Oklahoma public schools carried over more than $1 billion at the end of the 2021 state budget year, marking an increase of more than 50 percent in school savings over the past five years.Ray Carter | January 10, 2022
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Budget & Tax
Illinois exodus provides lessons for Oklahoma
States with business-friendly climates, particularly states without a state income tax, have seen robust population growth.Curtis Shelton | December 23, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Big-spending agencies on naughty list again
Oklahoma state agencies seem to believe they’re on Santa’s “nice” list: they have requested an additional $815 million in funding for fiscal year 2023. This includes $660 million in appropriated funds.Curtis Shelton | December 21, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Union activism may undermine Oklahoma film-subsidy program
Oklahoma lawmakers voted this year to supersize the state’s film-subsidy program, boosting the program from $8 million in annual subsidies to up to $30 million.Ray Carter | December 14, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma’s income tax, by the numbers
In 2012 Oklahoma’s top personal income-tax rate was 5.5 percent. After two rate cuts of a quarter of a percentage point, Oklahoma’s top income tax rate was 5 percent in 2021.Curtis Shelton | December 3, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Income-tax-cut trend continues
Recent action in North Carolina and Louisiana continues the tax-cut trend seen across the country. Both states are making changes to their tax code by simplifying their income tax structures and reducing rates for both individuals and corporations.Curtis Shelton | November 23, 2021
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Budget & Tax
How much does Oklahoma spend?
Over the last 10 years, total state spending has grown by 1.5 percent. However, the share of state spending funded by the federal government has fallen more than 12 percent in that same time.Curtis Shelton | November 18, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Inflation means tough decisions ahead
A dollar just doesn’t go as far as it used to.Curtis Shelton | November 1, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Cherokee chief says no Oklahoma income tax for Indians
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma significantly increases the number of American Indian citizens who may now be exempt from paying Oklahoma state income tax.Ray Carter | October 27, 2021